Why Is DraftKings Stock Surging Today?
DraftKings Inc. shares rose nearly 3% in early trading following news of a new multiyear agreement with Walt Disney Co. Under the deal, DraftKings becomes the exclusive official sportsbook and odds provider for Disney’s ESPN network, starting in December 2025.
Details of the Partnership
According to ESPN, DraftKings’ entertainment and betting products will be integrated throughout the ESPN ecosystem, with full implementation planned for 2026.
“Fans will be able to enjoy betting features and access to offerings including DraftKings’ sportsbook, daily fantasy, and DraftKings Pick6 at launch,” ESPN said.
The partnership also includes a dedicated betting tab within the ESPN app powered by DraftKings, offering customers special promotions linked to ESPN Unlimited, the network’s new direct-to-consumer service.
Market Reaction and Industry Impact
Investor sentiment toward DraftKings improved to bullish from neutral in just one day, with message volume on Stocktwits rising to high levels. Market participants viewed the Disney-ESPN alliance as a significant expansion opportunity for DraftKings.
Further Developments
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. ESPN BET will transition to a sports betting content brand, integrating DraftKings Sportsbook and featuring the existing show ESPN BET Live.
Earlier, Penn Entertainment and ESPN announced the early termination of their exclusive U.S. online sports betting agreement, effective December 2025, paving the way for the new partnership.
Author’s Summary
DraftKings’ stock jumped after securing an exclusive long-term partnership with Disney’s ESPN, reshaping the U.S. sports betting landscape through deep integration across ESPN’s platforms.